Notes / Commercial Description:
A big, Belgian-style witbier brewed with coriander and orange peel and fermented with pinot noir juice. After fermentation, a fraction of the batch is aged in one of our 10,000-gallon oak tanks.

Taste: Opens with rather dry grape and dark fruit flavors, plums, raisins and dark cherries. Coriander is present from start to finish, while distinct, seems almost an afterthought in a melange of complex flavors. Sweet , vinous alcohol with a lingering warmth appears soon after, but is free of any hot or solvent notes. Oak flavors also offer a well-balanced presence, carrying throughout the taste. Dark caramel is an undercurrent of the taste throughout, and while a distinct presence, is almost overshadowed by the alcohol and fruit. Late in the taste, moderate herbal hops appear to draw the taste to a close.

Mouth feel: Very smooth, soft and full, pleasant.

Drinkability/notes: A simply outstanding example that is far "outside the box". Red & White would be an elegant accompaniment to a fine meal or as an aperitif. Cheers.

Presentation: Packaged in a one liter Belgian-style brown glass bomber, sealed with a pry-off crown, and served in a New Belgium Brewing chalice.

2008 vintage shared by Mike yesterday, thnaks a ton man. A 7 year old imperial witbier should be very interesting indeed.

This pours a kind of murky-ish amber color, with a very small head, and not a lot of lacing.

Smells like overripe cherries and raspberries, even though it's definitely not brewed with those, with some pinot noir, and oak.

After 7 years, any semblance of this one being a witbier have disapperead- no spices or typical spicy yeast flavors, just a ton of fruitiness, the berries I mentioned, as well as a strong level of pinot noir juice. There's a really strong amount of oak here. It definitely tastes like old, wet oak, as it has a bit of buttery, creamy flavor to it that's interesting but not exactly wanted.

This is medium bodied, with a slick and creamy mouthfeel, and a lower level of carbonation.

An interesting experiment to try this super old beer, but I don't think the age has helped it.

Look: Enormous off-white head sits firmly atop a clear body of amber. Lots of floaty particles I'm praying are supposed to be there.

Smell: The aroma is tart and pungent, almost overripe. Candied orange peels and coriander mix it up with bright red raspberries. As the beer warms, a lovely caramel apple scent breaks through.

The taste is surprisingly light at first, but opens up as the beer warms. In the beginning It's mostly orchard fruit--golden pears and soft red apples. As the palette becomes more accustomed to the taste, some interesting "sub-flavors" flavors come through: dates, condensed milk, and hazelnut fit into the mix quite well. There are also some tasty Hefeweizen qualities, like bubblegum and banana but breath, which are accented by sharp, lively spices like white pepper.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, with mild carbonation. Smooth, with no warming whatsoever in spite of the 10% ABV.

Overall: An innnnteresting beer...Like the Pinot Noir included in the recipe, it needs some time to breathe before it reveals its full self. It's a bit odd, but too light tasting to be super bizarre. I can't make up my mind about whether I like it or not, but it's not something I'd want to try again.

Enjoyed from the 750 ml corked bottle in a DFH snifter. This most excellent wit pours a beautifully hazy reddish orange with a fantastic head of long lasting foam that leaves GREAT lacing. Nose of grapes, strawberries, and subtle oak with some light grain notes. Flavors follow the nose with a medium strong grape note tot he front, some strawberry and grains to the middle, and a tart background that holds a semi strong oak flavor reminding one this is unique hybrid. Mouth feel features some subtle warming in the back that marries well with the oak, good carbonation, and a semi dry finish. Unique and interesting. Not your common brew and not for everyone, but I still enjoyed the experience.

From the 750 ml. bottle. Bottled on 04/17/14. I sampled it on May 12, 2015 so it is over a year old and I bought it that way. Some stores don't update their inventory but that's OK when it comes to a beer like this.

Pours golden tan with a reddish hue. Thick creamy head that lasts for several minutes.
Through the head of the beer, the nose is musty almost like cheap grape juice or communion wine. I didn't realize this was a witbier at the time, but it makes sense now because of the fruity undertones (orange, lemon & blueberry?). First sip, ok - this beer is very complex. The mustiness is consistent throughout. It's not so bad in the beginning, but I continued to drink the beer it got old quick. The mouthfeel is dry and oaky and still musty. I would hate for this to be the last beer that I drink because of the unsatisfying aftertaste.

Overall, I recognize that this beer is very complex, particularly for the style, but for me it misses the mark. DFH has blended wine characteristics with beer very well in the past, but the end result here just didn't do anything for me. Also, admittingly reflected in the rating is the pricetag. At $15+, I could've done a lot better.

Pours a cloudy orange color with a two finger off white head, with very good retention and lacing. The aroma has orange, orange peel, and coriander.

Has a mildly sweet taste with oranges, orange peel, coriander, light oak, and some white grapes. I am not picking up the Pinot Noir juice at all. The alcohol is very well hidden, especially for a 10.00 % abv beer.

Light to medium bodied with average carbonation. A nice beer which I will seek out again.

This is a very pretty beer with the red body and blonde bubbly head. I'm happy to have tried it. I wish I had written down the tasting notes at the time. However, looking back on the brew I think what stood out most is its mild sweetness and the unity of all of its components.

I am surprised this beer isn't rated higher. I thoroughly enjoyed sipping this beer. A bit of orange zest with a nice sour note from the wine grapes. The oakiness comes through but not in an overpowering way. To me, it lends to the dryness of the beer.

I did not know what to expect with this one. Poured from bottle into a tulip glass. Nice golden orange color with foamy head that laces nicely.
Smell a hint of orange. Kind of tangy like a Belgium and it does hide its alcohol content well.
It finishes nicely and it is dry.
Would I buy again, probably not. I do like it and glad I tried it. Dogfish Head is an interesting brewery.

Poured dark amber, very cloudy color with a thick foamy head (poured into a Tulip). Head retention is excellent. Lacing is very good as well. Has a citrus, caramel aroma. You can detect the high alcohol content as well. Very smooth caramel tasting, ending in a citrus blend. Alcohol content is high at the end but leaves a very mild aftertaste only. Very good beer. Even though it is evident, it hides the alcohol content well.

pours a cloudy, orange copper with a large head that poofs. nose; candied citrus fruit, floral orange peel, white grape, & gentle ethanol. taste; biscuit, grape must, sweet orange reduction, coriander, slight oak, mellow hops, & a gently warming vinous ethanol. high carbonation & medium mouthfeel. 10%abv is well-tamed. labeled a witbier, but dogfish head doesn't do a normal take on it; deeply fruity & sweet, and high octane. an interesting "pinot & marmalade" witbier strong enough to make you like it after a glass or so if you weren't already a fan from the start.

T: Flavor follows the nose, complex and well balanced, with no part of the profile overpowering the others. Fruits and spices immediately in the front, with wheat malt, caramel coming in right after. The flavors are ringed and intertwined with oak and herbal characters with a notable earthy yeast. The light malts and yeast work well together, the finish is not terribly cloying for a beer this strong.

M: Light carbonation with a medium to full body; mouthfeel is smooth, though a bit on the heavy side. Slight booziness in the finish, but not overpowering; notably warm at the finish.

O: As always from DFH, an interesting and bold offering that avoids the mainstream. This imperial witbier is big in lots of ways, and does not disappoint. Hugely complex but well- balanced; smooth sipper for an ABV like this. Highly recommended.

bottled 04-17-14, nose: light fruits, grapes, a light old fruit funk, orange, vanilla oak notes, Hazy amber under a 2” very finely bubbled and persistent foam cap, lacy and rouses easily after it drops. Very creamy smooth medium to medium full body supported by fine soft carbonation. The palate begins exceptionally creamy, with fruit – especially grapes with light orange, then a shot of caramelly malt over light bread followed by a moderate hop accent and a hint of alcohol so moderate that it’s hard to believe that this is 10% abv. The caramel-toffee flavors from the malt provide an intriguing balance to the light wine and oak flavors. White wine, light oak, alcohol, rich malt and a light hop accent linger in the aftertaste.

Light brown in color with a murky complexion. A fingernail of white foam covers the majority of the top of the beer. Brussels lacing. Complex aroma of coriander and Pinot Noir. The front of the palate is strong with the Pinot Noir notes and is quickly followed by bitter notes of orange and a balanced amount of coriander. The mouth is highly carbonated with a champaign texture. The strong alcohol is well hidden.
Appearance: 3.75
Aroma:3.5
Taste:4.25
Mouthfeel:4
Overall:3.75

There's simply no end to the alterations that Dogfish Head brewers will place upon traditional styles. To push a Belgian witbier to double its normal strength would have been daring enough for most brewers. But oh-no, how about the induction of pinot noire grapes to amplify the winy character of Belgian ale and then aging the newfound concoction in pinot noire barrels. They've certainly "dogfished" this concoction completely up!

Its first cautious and curious sip comes after a murky orange and peach-stained pour. Layering in with a viscous nestle, the aromas and early taste is of candied fruit, perhaps more of orange and perfume than of grape or wine, all upon a lightly toasted and doughy base.

With the weighty beer pressing deeply into the palate, a notion of orange marmalade wafts over the tongue, carrying with it the orange peels, piths and pulp; along with a lemony, apricot, apple and unmistakable grape tone. Somewhat vegetal with verbena, chive and fresh-cut grass, its bracing acidity ushers in a quick finish.

With the simple syrup sweetness lifting, its pinot character thrives in the late palate, highlighted by vinous alcohol with its own peppery warmth. But closing with a semi-sweet weight, the ale remains much more of a sipping beer than a drinkable one. Mild bitterness and rosy spice gives this high gravity wheat beer a hearty prickle on the tongue as it exits.

Very interesting beer with a lot of great fruit flavors. The appearance was a nice reddish orange hue with a thick head head that dissipated rather quickly, The smell had a lot of blackberry and grape flavor from the pinot noir. Very subtle. The taste was full of fruit in a good way with a lot of the wine flavor coming through in the finish giving a semi-sweet lingering to it. Thought it was a nice after dinner beer, good with rich deserts.

Appearance: Pours a deep and hazy amber orange with a lot of bubbles. Big two finger off white head which slowly fades into a creamy layer. Leaves a lot of lacing.

Smell: A very fruity and fairly sweet Belgian style wheat forward aroma with lots of fruit esters. Belgian yeast along with hints of clove, coriander, funk, and pepper. Hints of bubblegum and candied sugar. Lots of fruit esters with hints of Pinot noir grape juice, orange peel, banana, lemon, apple, and mango. Hints of oak come through from the barrel. Bready malt with hints of wheat, caramel, grains, and straw. A very good and complex aroma.

Taste: Like it smells, a juicy, yeasty, and sweet Belgian style taste with big notes of grape and other fruits. Belgian yeast with some notes of coriander, clove, pepper, and funk. Sweet presence of candied sugar and some notes of bubblegum. Big wine like taste from the Pinot noir grapes. Other fruit esters include notes of banana, orange peel, apple, mango, and lemon. Also some barrel notes of oak and vanilla. Bready background with notes of wheat, grains, caramel, and straw. A very good fruity taste.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with a medium to high level of carbonation. Juicy, creamy, and fairly chewy with a drying finish. Alcohol heat is mild.

Overall: A very good twist on a Belgian style wheat beer. Huge fruit taste from the added grapes and a nice hint of oak. Its almost like an imperial Hefeweizen with the big bubblegum taste.